The fiscal year 2024 United States Department of Agriculture Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant request for applications (RFA) is now available by clicking here.

Applications are due on Jan. 11, 2024.

USDA will award up to $12 million to expand access to local food. Schools and school districts, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors, Indian tribal organizations, state agencies, local agencies, nonprofit organizations and agricultural producers are encouraged to apply.

The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program is designed to increase the availability of local foods in schools and help connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips and local food sourcing for school meals.

Grants can launch new Farm to School programs or expand existing efforts. The fiscal year 2024 grant awards projects up to 24 months in length for funding up to $500,000. Applicants are required to provide matching support of at least 25% of the total project budget in the form of cash or in-kind contributions.

The RFA offers three tracks – implementation, state agency and turnkey – to support a variety of projects and implementation stages.

USDA hosted two webinars that were recorded to help interested applicants learn more about the RFA and how to apply. For information, click here.

For more information about the Farm to School Grant Program, click here.